Summer Highlights

>>>

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS
By Joshua Klinski

Young Performers Gain Exposure to Professional Arts Community
On July 1, 2003, the Manhattan Arts Institute (MAI) began its second annual summer arts program. Over 200 talented high school students from around New York City participated in performing and visual arts classes, including vocal and instrumental music, theater, modern and classical dance, drawing, painting, mural design and photography. Many of the classes were taught by artists from the wide range of cultural institutions in the city. One very special component of the program focused on internships that expose students to real world experience in the professional arts. Internship sites included Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Museum of the City of New York, and Yeshiva University Museum.

On July 29 and 30, the summer program culminated in a two-day showcase of artistic expression, with the theme "Making Art: Giving Voice." Performances took place at Stuyvesant High School.

The mission of the Manhattan Arts Institute is to support the continuing artistic development of Manhattan high school students. Within the four disciplines of art, music, dance and drama, the MAI community encourages student discovery of personal voice, acquisition of technique at the appropriate skill level, expansion of artistic horizons, and development of aesthetic awareness. MAI further supports continuing artistic development of faculty members by creating collaborative relationships with some of New York City's finest cultural institutions, performers and artists.

Organizations and institutions that helped organize the Manhattan Arts Institute were Roundabout Theatre Company, Working Playground, Inc., the New York Citywide School to Work Alliance, and Teachers College, Columbia University.

Workshops Train Teachers on Literacy Strategies
For three days in July 2003, teachers from Queens Vocational and Technical High School attended a workshop on strategies for teaching reading and writing to achieve literacy. Sponsored by the New York Citywide School to Work Alliance, and held at the Alliance offices, the workshop specifically explored ways to implement the uniform, ninth grade ELA curriculum prescribed by the New York City Department of Education. The curriculum requires that classes are structured in double periods and include reading and writing activities everyday. Training was given on student-centered instructional methods and strategies, curriculum integration and other activities to support the curriculum. The group shared potential lesson plans that would teach students to ask questions, determine importance, and draw inferences. The workshop participants also explored "Text Rendering," an activity that helps activate and reinforce students' reading skills.

Other topics that the group covered included elements of a successful writing workshop, such as time, ownership, mini-lessons, class conference, and group share. The benefits of using visual devices, or graphic organizers, to help students see how pieces of key information associated with a topic fit together were also discussed. The educators then looked at ways that the various concepts could be adapted to their own situations and classrooms. Each workshop participant received a copy of the book Developing More Curious Minds, which emphasizes inquisitiveness at the beginning of meaningful learning about the world. Sue Schaller, Humanities Instructional Specialist, facilitated the workshop.

Twenty-Five Educators Attend Career Development Institute
On June 30 and July 1, 2003, twenty-five teachers and administrators from New York City high schools participated in the New York Citywide School to Work Alliance's "Integrating Career Development Activities into Your Classroom" professional development institute. The two-day workshop focused on strategies, activities and materials that support career readiness efforts in schools. Staff members of the New York Citywide School to Work Alliance, New York City Department of Education, and New York State Department of Labor facilitated discussions.

Day One opened with an overview of career development and occupational studies standards, as well as universal foundation skills and competencies. Morning activities included a comprehensive tour of Career Zone, the New York State Department of Labor's online career exploration program. While teachers sat at computers, a Department of Labor representative demonstrated that Career Zone not only stimulates students' thoughts about careers, but offers faculty sample lesson plans as well. During the afternoon, institute participants brainstormed about specific ways that Career Zone could be used to enhance classroom, guidance, home, and after-school activities. (For a more in depth look at Career Zone, please see article in this issue.)

During Day Two, facilitators guided teachers through the Career Plan, the New York State Education Department's portfolio document that allows learners to record their development in the areas of self-knowledge, career exploration, and career and life goals and skills. After an overview, the group identified ways that the Career Plan could be used to support grade level specific activities. Day Two also gave participants an opportunity to learn about establishing school business partnerships, with an emphasis on using the School to Work Alliance's partnership building workbook as a resource. Institute participants learned ways to identify and approach potential business partners, and how to assess progress. Other issues covered during the second day of the workshop included the Career and Technical Education (CTE) certification process and work-based learning.

Feedback about the Institute was positive. "The workshop exposed me to many good tangible ideas, concepts, practices, and procedures that I feel I can use with my class," said Roxanne Rivera, a teacher at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn. Karina Sang, a teacher at W.H. Maxwell High School in Brooklyn stated "I will begin to use Career Plans and Career Zone with a number of students." For more information about professional development activities hosted by the New York Citywide School to Work Alliance, please visit www.stwalliance.org.

Printer Friendly Format

Fall 2003 Issue

> Municipal Bond Industry Trade Association Hosts Student Interns for 11th Summer

> Career Zone: Helping Students and Faculty Explore Occupations Online

> Summer Highlights

> NYC Delegations Present at National High Schools that Work Conference

> The School to Work Alliance Welcomes Two New Board Members

> New Staff Member at the School to Work Alliance

> Alliance Offers Training Workshops on Partnership Development